Jazz festival highlights (with video)

Kid Koala presents his Space Cadet Headphone Experience at performance works June 27 and June 28.

Photograph by: Vancouver Sun
, Handout

Scattered around the Robson Square/Vancouver Art Gallery blocks, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival’s four downtown outdoor stages will see a parade of incredible talent play for free for audiences of all ages over the June 23-24 weekend.

The Georgia stage (at Georgia and Hornby) will host up-and-coming Vancouverites such as big-bottom jazz band The Night Crawlers, neo-cabaret act Maria in the Shower and blues-rock hype machine No Sinner playing alongside Grammy-winning American neo-soul artist Van Hunt.

Lighter fare like dance lessons and busker entertainment will take place at the Community stage at Robson Square, and the Family Zone Sonic Playground nearby will have fun for the kids.

Some of the hot tickets at this year’s TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival include veterans George Benson, Diane Reeves and Wayne Shorter, as well as rising R&B/pop star Janelle Monae, roots-rockers Avett Brothers and turntable wizard Kid Koala.

The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival takes place from June 22 to July 1 at venues around the city, including the Orpheum, Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vogue Theatre, Venue and Performance Works on Granville Island.

Ticket information and complete lineup details are available at coastaljazz.ca.

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